God has many names and many traits. He is multi-layered. Both understandable and beyond comprehension. He is simple and complex without contradiction, and our reflection and representation of Him is the same.

Take giving, for example. Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” But why is that true?

Many may say that giving is love and leave it at that, content that everything that needs to be said or can be said has been said. But, like a child, we yearn to know more.

Is love incomplete without giving?

Is a gift less of a gift if it’s refused?

What is it about giving that liberates the soul?

Giving is transparent and anonymous. It involves time, transcending money and possessions. But is it always these things?

Giving is other focused and is about connecting and caring. It can be both a habit and an effort. It’s random and deliberate, as well as difficult and painful. It goes beyond sharing to sacrifice and has it’s own unique tastes, smells, emotions and associations, which is what we want your help with.

Let’s paint a complete picture of giving this holiday season and see what we come up with. Let’s see if what we uncover helps connect us more closely to Jesus and helps make giving a part of our everyday lives.

In December, we’ll be using all of our social media channels to begin peeling back some of the many layers surrounding what giving is and isn’t. We’ll have more to share with you on Dec. 3, but for now,

Here Are Two Things You Can Do

Join us tonight at 7 p.m. EST for a Twitter party, hosted by @TheSamiCone. Just follow the #itsaboutgiving hashtag to participate and possibly win some awesome prizes from wise•abe.

Share with us the tastes, sounds, feelings, colors and associations you have with giving. Leave a comment below or talk to us in Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.

First time our family is “giving” through Compassion International. Looking forward to Twitter party and hearing thoughts about the feel, color, smells of giving. I want to grow in my knowledge of true giving and give authentically with a purpose.
Thank you for all Compassion is doing around the world.

Giving feelings are comfort. Contentment. Joy. Generosity. Gratefulness. Like a blanket straight out of the drier. A beautiful fall walk with crisp air and the warm sun on your face. Like your heart can’t take-in anymore and is about to explode.

Giving colors are rich, natural, and eye catching. Beautiful white lights on a giant fluffy ever-green among the rest of the forest.

Giving associations are community working together to glorify Christ; children enjoying finding the perfect something to bring a smile to someone other than themselves; family sacrificing wants to meet needs; Christ living through us.

Giving is love notes in lunchboxes, taking turns reading at bedtime, holding the door for a stranger and loving a child that hurt your own child because you know that child is hurting too.

Giving tastes like a hot mug of coffee hand delivered by your spouse or an Oreo dipped in chocolate made by your 9 year old.

Giving feels like the arms of my children wrapped tightly around me in a hug, my husband’s hand reaching out and taking mine as we read or watch TV together or the embrace of a friend during a period of struggle.

Sorry I can’t make the party tonight. I’ll be loving and sharing Jesus with my sweet second graders at church.

Last year was the first year we purchased something out of the Christmas gift catalog. We worked through a special calendar that had us put aside so much money each day. We purchased a cow and I even found a cow ornament that will now be on our tree each year to remind us of how blessed it is to give.

Giving feels like reading a handwritten note from a long-time friend just because she missed you. Giving smells like cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Giving sounds like kids counting their change to share with others. Giving is blessing.

Giving is the smell of peanut butter and jelly on my cheek after my toddler’s sticky kisses.
Giving looks like my son’s name engraved on a necklace from my best friends the day after he passed away.
Giving is the smell of a home cooked meal from a friend when I’m too far in grief to cook for my family.
Giving is the sight of my children’s bright excited eyes when I tell them we are taking a surprise trip.

Giving is one of those things that as you participate in it you figure that you will be making someone else happy.. though in return.. you are doubly blessed by that simple act.
Giving in obedience and love brings about true love.

Giving is essential. Life is incomplete, lonely, without it. Giving tastes like cool water. Giving feels like a warm hug. Giving smells like fresh air. Giving sounds like children laughing. Giving is one of the basics, and I’m glad you’ve made me think about it more here, today.

Life without giving giving has no purpose. The joy that brings giving to others is priceless. Sometimes we think that we are given others something that they need and is true we are making someone happy or providing some need basic needs to survive but in the process we- the giver are evolving and becoming more richer, more whole and more substantial. We are putting our life in perceptive and forgetting about yourself to serve others. No to mentions the happiness and smiles that brings to our faces. At the end I always feel I am the lucky one for the blessing to serve and share what I have.